INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A handful of Republican state senators
are pushing to expand access to guns this session.

Sen. Jim Banks
of Columbia City has proposed allowing students to carry firearms on
Indiana's public university campuses. Sen. Dennis Kruse of Auburn wants a
bill that would exempt guns made exclusively in Indiana from federal rules
and regulations.

The measures
face little chance of success in the General Assembly this year. But Banks
said Tuesday that lawmakers should still have an open and ranging
discussion about guns.

The proposals
go up against a national push for more gun control following the Newtown
school shooting. Members of Indiana's Black Legislative Caucus said
Tuesday that they would support any national effort to reduce gun violence
and are ready to support new federal limits.